South Lake Tahoe...

Carrie and I took the opportunity of spending some quality alone time before Josiah makes his arrival present...we went back to our favorite Bed & Breakfast...Black Bear Inn on South Lake Tahoe!

This is such a wonderful place and the surrounding vistas are magnificent!!! The owners were so considerate of Carrie's dietary restrictions (no diary) and very accommodating to having a 8 month pregnant lady there.

We hope to go back in the near future with Josiah and possibly rent one of the cabins on the property!

Daddy being "loved" on...

I think that the picture says it all, don't you? Notice how all three like their heads on the pillows!

Recent pictures...

Here are some recent pictures of Carrie looking very cute and very pregnant!

Stand with us!!!

Hey Y'All,

I have just signed the American Congress for Truth's petition to join in unity with all free people and nations in the world against acts of Islamic religious hatred and intolerance against our human right of freedom of expression. We must send a message to the Islamic world that threats to our freedom will not be tolerated, nor will we allow our way to life to be destroyed by violence or intimidation.

This petition demands that the leaders of the free world stand against the growing, fascist, religious assault against human rights. Please use the link below to read the petition and add your name.

http://tool.donation-net.net/ACT/IslamicTot.cfm?dn=1089&refer=2001

MUST read book...

Hello Everyone,

There is a MUST read book by Brigitte Gabriel called Because They Hate. I'm about halfway through listening to her book on CD and I am highly recommending it. It is an eye-opener for Christians and our view of Islam and their view of us as Christians and Americans. This comes from someone who lived through Islamic jihad and is giving a personal and historical perspective.

You can also visit Brigitte Gabriel's website.

Must see movie...

Hey Y'all!

Carrie and I went to see Fireproof with my parents in Stockton today! What a phenomenal movie with a solid Christian message!

All in all, this is definitely a must see movie!

http://fireproofthemovie.com/

Joshua

Love, devotion, family...

These are all adjectives that describe someone whose birthday we are celebrating today. There are many, many more though I want to touch on these today.

Love - Christ has given us a directive to "love one another" even as He loved us! This individual exemplifies this trait every day of their life whether it be with the mother of the Little Sister, the girl's tennis team, woman's Bible Study, Sunday School class members, etc.

Devotion - Devotion to Christ, family, and others. Devotion to Christ through their ministry to teaching/leading woman's small groups, devotion to family through intense love and heartfelt longing for wholeness, devotion to others through giving of their time and energies for the benefit of people around them.

Family - One minute into a conversation with this person and you will know that family is central in their life. The love, pride and joy in life comes from the members of their family and their desire to see everyone reaping the joys and benefits of life full in Christ.

This person that we are celebrating today is my mom, Darla Briggs. Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and are so blessed to call you Mom! Have a wonderful day!

Fascinating...

Here is a fascinating test that I took and thought others might want to take. I found that I disagree with Barack Hussein Obama 98% of the time. What I found fascinating were all of the CNN, CBS, MSNBC sources cited recently for BHO's positions....additionally, I found it fascinating that I actually agreed with him on 1 question. It would be interesting for the Constitutional Law experts out there to see how they would answer #2 under Defense.

http://www.barackobamatest.com

To a great role model...

Today is a great role model's birthday...my Dad! Sure, he is human...we all are! Sure, he has made mistakes...we all have! There are several facts though regarding my Dad that I am rock solid confident...

1) He loves his Lord, Jesus Christ and seeks to serve Him in his work, family and interactions with others

2) He adores his wife and is a Godly testimony/example of how a Biblical husband loves his wife

3) He loves his family and seeks to have his family whole

4) He is proud of every single member of his family and thanks God every day for blessing him with the family that God has given him

5) He gives 110% to everything and everyone who asks of him

6) He is an incredible teacher, mentor and coach to the students, families and lives that he touches

Happy Birthday Dad!

I love you and am so incredibly proud to call you my Dad and soon-to-be Grandpa to your latest grandson, Josiah!

Joshua

Nine weeks left...

Carrie and I are eagerly anticipating Josiah Kenneth's arrival in 9 weeks. Time certainly flies by! Last weekend I completed putting together the changing table/dresser that my parents got us! Will have to post pictures of it soon!

You can definitely feel Josiah moving around more and more and Carrie's belly is definitely getting a great deal firmer.

Still is amazing to me that we will be parents in a matter of basically 2 months! Life will joyously change!

View about the current state of affairs...

In recent months, I've been debating about starting a separate blog to vent some frustrations regarding the political season that we are currently in. My brother Daniel has frankly inspired me through his own blog to write my own blog though I'm sure my entries will not be as long or as involved as Daniel's are. By the way, you should definitely check out his blog. I enjoy reading his entries daily as they refresh and challenge me.

So, I've started a separate blog...

http://caforcommonsense.blogspot.com

Obnoxiously cute...

This is the new definition of Jackson, our 11 month old black Standard Poodle puppy. He defines "Obnoxiously cute"! When we are in bed, he decides that since he can't be between us then the next best thing is being ON me. Or when I am sitting on the couch, Jackson decides the easiest way of getting attention is coming around the back of the couch and putting his paws up on the armrest of the couch and then proceed to place one of his rather large paws on my shoulder or head. No scratching mind you since he has realized that he doesn't get the right kind of attention when he scratches.

Another thing that he does is take Harrison's rope tug toy and plays keep away from Harrison. :)

Definitely...."obnoxiously cute!!!!"

Due process...the great American gift...

Well, today I was able to celebrate a freedom others around the world can only dream about...jury duty! :) Several things struck me! First of all, we, the jurors, received a very informative history lesson from the Superior Court Judge in charge of juror summons. It was an excellent refresher for me! Interestingly enough, he believes that Russia's Putin has fashioned himself a Russian dictatorship. Amazing to me was the unprecedented gift we have to due process of the law...something that I know many take for granted...

Another thing that struck me today was the sheer depravity of mankind! As a believer from a strong Christian family, I haven't been subjected to this kind of depravity. When the judge asked the question, "Have you, a close relative or friend ever committed a crime?" I was personally shocked to not only see the hands raised but the answers many gave would have made Hollywood blush (possibly...well probably not). Then the judge asked "Have you, a close relative or friend ever had a crime committed against you?" and again I was shocked to see the hands raised and the answers given.

While sitting there hearing these personal accounts, I began praying and rejoicing silently how the Lord saw fit to place me in a Christian home where my parents both love and serve the Lord and imparted to my siblings and myself the same love and devotion to serve Him. When we have the Lord front and center in our lives, the depravity of mankind cannot enter in.

May the Lord bless His children and keep us continually seeking after Him!

Dog days of summer...

Elegant and yet so retro...

Life changing...

With November approaching ever so quickly, I've been reflecting on how life changes, we adapt and make choices based on the priorities in our collective lives.

Thinking back as a single man whether I was living in the Bay Area or on my own in Virginia, my life decisions really only impacted me most of the time. If I decided after work to spend 1.5 hrs in the gym working out, then I could without a problem. Thoughts of saving or spending money rarely crossed my mind as I had been raised in a conservative home that emphasized saving over spending.

Life changed when I met Carrie and I had to adapt. Now, my time wasn't my own anymore. I had someone else who valued my time. Decisions on working out, spending more now impacted more than just myself.

Now with November approaching and we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Josiah Kenneth, I've reflected that yet again, life changes and we adapt. Now, rather than working out, I'm going to want to be heading home to play with my son and be a part of his life. Give Carrie a break though I have a strong feeling that she will love every minute with our son.

Priorities change and we adapt. Just something I've been reflecting about.

Crazy puppy and sane dog pictures...

More clothes for Carrie...

My mom has been hard at work making more clothes for Carrie...all of which make her look so feminine and even more beautiful during her pregnancy.

Older ultrasound pics....

Recent ultrasound pics of Josiah Kenneth...

These were taken at our recent diagnostic ultrasound session in Sacramento. Gratefully, Josiah is a very boring baby and the pregnancy is very boring as well. :) We like boring!

More clothes for Carrie...

Carrie has been amazingly blessed by all of the clothes my Mom has made her. Recently, my mom completed three gorgeous tops and a dress. Several look great with the new red coral necklace and earrings that I got her while in Hawaii! :)

More pictures to come!

It's a....

Josiah Kenneth Briggs will be arriving sometime in November. Right now, he is still baking in the oven!

Cute boys...all for now...:)

Baby Briggs cooperates...

Well kind of cooperated...enough to know that Baby Briggs is a BOY!!!